Since time immemorial, cannabis plants have been essential in the folk medicine and textile fiber industry. The plant has so many uses that sometimes people call it “the plant of the thousands and one molecule.” Cannabis sativa plant has over 200 known chemicals, cannabinoids. These cannabinoids have a wide range of pharmaceutical effects in humans.
Cannabidiol or CBD is one such cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychotropic. It means users don’t get a psychological “high” after consuming it. CBD has received high support in recent years due to its alleged benefits. People believe CBD is a plant of the future, so let’s see some of the potential benefits of CBD oil that you can find on Royal CBD.
People suffering from chronic pain:
Like its parent plant, CBD is highly effective in treating chronic pain. Moreover, experts also believe it can even manage back pain and neuropathic pain. However, conventional medication can also help with stiffness and pain. People see CBD as a more effective and natural alternative for the treatment of chronic pain.
Sativex, an oro-mucosal spray, is an equal mixture of CBD and THC used to treat multiple sclerosis(MS). Canada approved the use of Sativex in treating MS in 2005 and 2007 for drug-resistant cancer pain.
A study comprising 47 patients of MS examined the effects of the drug Sativex for a month. The researchers concluded an overall improvement in pain, walking ability, and spasms. But, there wasn’t a control group, so we can’t rule out the effects of the placebo effect also.
People undergoing Anxiety and depression treatment:
While THC can increase the sweetness of anxiety attacks, CBD may help reduce it. Clinical evidence suggests CBD can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety in mice. Moreover, experts also believe CBD can help reduce some types of anxiety behavior, such as:
- General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
A Brazilian study suggests a 300-mg dose of CBD is most effective for people suffering from SAD. Similarly, another recent study on mice concludes CBD produces similar antidepressant effects like imipramine.
Children suffering from selected epilepsy syndrome:
CBD can effectively treat and control seizures in children who have epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has approved the first of its kind, pure CBD drug, Epidiolex. The drug Epidiolex can treat two rare forms of epilepsy- Dravet syndrome, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, in children above 2 years old.
Scientists believe CBD oil targets the endocannabinoid system and particularly the CB1 receptor. The receptor is primarily concentrated in the brain and regulates neural transmission, which is essential in controlling seizures.
People suffering from cancer:
Cannabinoids such as CBD are rich in antioxidants, and experts believe CBD might also reduce some cancer-related symptoms. CBD oil may also limit the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting due to ongoing chemotherapy.
A 2012 review study has found evidence that CBD may prevent the violent growth of some types of cancer cells. Moreover, adding CBD oil to chemotherapy medication might improve the immune response.
CBD oil may also help cancer patients in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and improving the body’s response to chemotherapy.
Patients with PTSD:
The antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties of CBD might also help patients suffering from PTSD. Research suggests using CBD just after a traumatic experience could make it hard for the brain to form negative memories. These traumatic memories could later cause PTSD.
The Frontiers in Neuroscience, a leading neuroscience journal, explains CBD may affect the amygdala and the hippocampus in the brain. Patients with PTSD experience hyperactivity in the amygdala that makes the symptoms much worse. The journal says CBD may grow the size of the hippocampus, which reduces the hyperactivity in the amygdala.
Four human trials between 2012 and 2016 on PTSD patients observe CBD reduces PTSD symptoms, though some also include THC.
People with Addiction:
The preclinical animal and human clinical trials suggest CBD could treat people with a substance abuse history. CBD is quite promising in treating individuals with heroin and alcohol use disorder. Researchers have found that CBD has a lot of potential to reduce drug craving in patients.
Researchers gave CBD to individuals with heroin use disorder for a week in a study. After the completion of one week, the researchers noted reduced cue-induced cravings. Moreover, there was less withdrawal anxiety, heart rate, and cortisol level in saliva.
Beneficial for people with high heart risk:
Some researchers believe CBD oil could be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. Moreover, it can also help in controlling high blood pressure. High BP increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.
According to a study, 600mg of CBD oil can reduce resting blood pressure more effectively than the placebo. The research also says CBD can reduce the hardness of arteries and increase blood flow.
In Arthritis patients:
Arthritis affects the tissues around the joint, and the condition gets worse over time. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and movement issues. In modern medicine, arthritis treatment generally targets pain receptors and improves joint function.
A study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis concludes CBD oil with THC can improve the quality of sleep, body movement, and pain condition.
Possible side effects of CBD oil:
Compared to other drugs, CBD is relatively safe. But, clinical research shows CBD oil can trigger side effects in some individuals. Though, the extent and type of side effects can vary from person to person.
Some common side effects of CBD oil include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mood swings
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
CBD oil may also increase enzymes in the liver causing liver inflammation. Thus, liver patients should take some precautions before taking CBD oil.
Conclusion:
CBD was first discovered in 1940; most of its properties and drug interaction are still unknown. While the World Health Organization claims CBD is safe to consume, the FDA hasn’t approved any CBD-based drug except Epidiolex. So, in our opinion, CBD should be taken with caution.
